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Angela Polden : Associate Artist

Polden believes that music has the potential to be a vehicle for developing emotional literacy, for healing and reconciliation.

Photo of Angela Polden

Photo: Courtesy of The Advocate

Angela Polden is a composer with a passion for teaching. She teaches piano, singing and music theory in her studio and in schools, is currently taking further studies in Education, and is a member of The Golden Key International Honour Society. Her early piano studies were with Rennie Herbert, she studied singing with her mother, Beryl Bradley, and preparation for A.T.Mus A. was through the University of Southern Queensland, mostly with Sue Thompson. She has undertaken training in Estill Voice techniques with Helen Tiller and Jenny Caire.

As a composer Polden is largely self-taught, using the critical listening and inner hearing skills gained during instrumental and voice study. Many years of writing have seen the development of a distinctive voice that is melodious, mostly tonal (although predominantly modal), jazz-influenced and sonorous. Her aim is to write music that is socially relevant, accessible and useful to both listeners and performers, without being simplistic.

Polden believes that music has the potential to be a vehicle for developing emotional literacy, for healing and reconciliation. Most works include references to spiritual matters and her experiences as a Christian in addition to a keen sensitivity towards environmental awareness and protection.

Always encouraged by other musicians from the close local community, Polden came to recognize a gift for composition after entering and winning the composition prize at the Devonport Eisteddfod on ten occasions. The inclusion of three works in the inaugural Vox Tasmanica concert in 1999, where she performed in two works and conducted the third, resulted in the release of a CD of recordings made at the concert.

In 2001 Polden was awarded an Arts Tasmania grant to assist with publication of Klokwerx, a book and CD of eight varied piano solos written for her students, one of which has been republished by the AMEB in the Piano Australian Anthology (2002).

A commission by violist William Lane: Athrotaxing Lane, for viola and piano was premiered in 2003, in Hobart while Forlorna, for clarinet quartet, was performed by The London Chamber Group and The Tasmanian Clarinet Quartet in 2004 and 2005.

Narawntapu Dusk, also for clarinet quartet, was awarded a commendation by The London Chamber Group in the Piece of the Year Competition, 2003. Narawntapu Dusk had a simultaneous Australian Premiere by the Tasmanian Clarinet Quartet and by Clarity, in Canberra, in 2004.


Biography provided by the composer — current to July 2006